Sue and Noel Radford, stars of the Channel 5 series 22 Kids and Counting, have shared a heartfelt tribute to their late son Alfie on what would have been his 12th birthday. The couple, who have 22 children and 14 grandchildren, posted a photo of Alfie's graveside on Instagram, adorned with flowers and balloons.
Alfie's Tragic Stillbirth in 2014
Alfie Thomas Radford was the couple's 17th child, delivered stillborn in 2014 after his heartbeat was lost during a three-month scan. Sue previously recalled feeling that something was wrong: "From finding out I was pregnant with Alfie, I think I always knew we were never going to take him home. I just knew." She described how his movements slowed and she experienced sharp back pains, leading to a hospital visit where doctors confirmed the loss.
Instagram Tribute on 12th Birthday
The Radfords wrote on Instagram: "Happy heavenly 12th Birthday to our beautiful boy Alfie Thomas you are loved and missed so much every single day i honestly cant believe it’s been 12 years since we held you and had to say goodbye." The post received an outpouring of support from followers.
Memorial Tattoos
Sue has Alfie's handprints tattooed on her hand and his footprints on her foot, along with his full name and date of birth (06.07.2014). She said: "I love that I can always see his little hand prints on my hand and that his little feet always walk with me wherever I go." The family also honored Alfie in their book, The Radfords: Making Life Count.
